Most people do gain weight as they get older. That’s good news because we don’t have to wonder if we’re suddenly doing something wrong. But it’s bad news because we need to constantly adjust our eating habits and exercise routine as we age.
As we get older, our activity levels usually change to less strenuous exercise naturally. Those in the 20- to 30-year-old age group tend to jog, play tennis, work out at health clubs, etc., says the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
In later years, people tend to engage in activities like golf, bowling and watching TV. As these activities change, we burn fewer calories, of course. If we’re still eating the same amount of food we always have, weight gain will follow.
Unfortunately, older people are more efficient at storing food as fat, say recent studies. This means that for the same amount of food eaten, more exercise is needed to use it up.
To stay in a healthy weight range during the aging process, people should gradually decrease the amount of food eaten.
In general, the leaner you are, the longer you’ll live, says the ADA.
Compiled from 101 Tips for Staying Healthy with Diabetes (and Avoiding Complications). Copyright by the American Diabetes Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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